How to prevent ear problems in dogs?

In dogs with allergies that are prone to ear infections, regular ear cleaning can be helpful. To prevent ear infections from developing you should properly clean your dog’s ears weekly — a great time to do this is right after you give them their weekly bath. Your veterinarian or veterinary technician can show you how to correctly clean your dog’s ears to help you feel more comfortable doing it on your own. Start with an ear cleaner recommended by your veterinarian and squeeze a good amount of ear cleaner into your dog’s ear canal. Gently massage the base of your dog’s ear until you hear the solution make a squishing noise. Lift your dog’s ear flap to straighten out the “L” shape of their ear canal and insert a real cotton ball into the ear. Repeat the last step with new cotton balls until the cotton comes out clean. By taking some preventive steps such as giving your dog anti-inflammatory medication, doing regular ear cleanings, and seeing your vet to diagnose the cause of your dog’s ear infections, your dog can avoid most ear flare-ups and stay comfortable and itch-free. Normal dogs without skin allergies only need their ears cleaned if they appear dirty, but in dogs prone to allergies and ear infections, maintenance ear cleaning should be done weekly.

To prevent ear problems in dogs, it’s true that some breeds of dogs - ones with long dangly ears such as Springer Spaniels - are more prone to ear problems than others. Dogs which spend a lot of time in water may also suffer from regular ear problems, as well as dogs with allergies. If your dog is the kind of breed that is susceptible to ear problems or has long ears make it a part of your grooming routine to check their the ears regularly. Keep the ears clean and if you spot a problem contact your vet to see if they think you further investigation is needed. Ear conditions are very unlikely to clear up on their own and the longer it remains untreated then the harder it is to clear up the problem.

Ear cleaning helps decrease debris, bacteria and yeast inside the ear. Ear cleanings are also often recommended as a maintenance routine for dogs prone to ear infections. Regularly check your dog’s ears for signs of infection, which may include: Redness, Itching one or both ears, Headshaking, Discharge or increased wax in the ear, Odor, Discomfort when touching the ear. The frequency of cleaning your dog’s ears will depend on whether it is for treatment of an infection, which could be up to daily to start, or maintenance, which could be every 1-2 weeks. Dogs with a history of allergies, recurrent ear infections, or floppy ears may need their ears cleaned more frequently. A routine ear cleaning is recommended if the ears get wet, such as after swimming or bathing. For a dog with healthy, normal ears, a routine ear clean is only needed if dirt or debris is noted, as overcleaning the ears can also lead to irritation of the ears.

Always contact your vet if you think your dog might have an ear problem. Contact your vet for advice as soon as you notice a problem with your dog’s ear(s) – the sooner it’s treated, the higher their chance of a full and speedy recovery. Your vet will use a special instrument (an otoscope) to look into the ear and investigate the problem. If you think your dog’s ears suddenly become very swollen, red and puffy, and they have swelling elsewhere this could be a the beginning of a severe allergic reaction to something. If you think this is the case, call your vet immediately.

Ear infections are often caused by excess moisture. Take care to thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after a swim or a bath. Cleaning your dog’s ears can: Make it easier for you to examine your dog’s ear canal, Remove microbes and other small foreign objects that may cause dog ear infections, Clean and expose the ear canal for possible topical medication applications. Managing your dog’s hygiene is an effective way to prevent future ear infections. Clean your dog’s ears by: Gently wiping the ear with an absorbent gauze. Never use a washcloth or paper towel. Avoiding cotton swabs, which can push debris deeper into your dog’s ear. Cleaning the external portions of your dog’s ears. For many dogs, ear infections are a recurring problem. Be proactive about keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry to prevent future ear-related health issues.